Pages

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Ahhh! As much as I enjoy the holidays, I enjoy the peace that comes afterward. I look forward to 2013 and what it might hold. My Goalies critique group has decided to do our annual goals for writing in the next year. I have several books in progress, so the first thing for me is to concentrate on two of them and make some progress. I did start a new YA novel, Stalker, with NANOWRIMO this year, but only got one chapter done before school raised its head and foot and stomped that hope out. This has been a really hectic year with being in a new grade (I went from 8th grade to 6th grade) and having double the number of exceptional students on my caseload. Between that and moving to a new building, plus illness in my family, my energy levels have been drained for any intellectual activities at night and on the weekend. Henry and I are planning to start again doing Tai Chi on a regular basis. I think this will help me focus while not at work.
I overworked myself a little before getting off for the holidays in unpacking my new classroom, but I know I'll be happy when I get back to work and only have the classroom computers to set up. Our students will come back to a brand new school, mostly, so that is exciting. Check out the photo above.
I think my goal of writing two chapters per month, one per book per critique group is not earth shattering, but in my case a realistic one. One Saturday morning a month needs to be spent writing synopses and query letters.
The last goal, which will take some time, but which I've already started on, is to make my upstairs crafting studio more user friendly. This is also going to include a desk area to take my laptop for more peace and quiet while I write. I think being at the kitchen table says to anyone near, "She's in a high-traffic area; therefore, she must not mind if I talk to her constantly while she writes." I'm trying to sell out of my yarn supply on etsy to make room to move around more freely and to not feel so claustrophobic while weaving, scrapbooking or writing.
So, what are your writing goals for 2013? Send me a comment and I'll pick a winner from the entries. The winner will receive a signed copy of Delores Fletcher, Cobweb Catcher. Be sure to leave an email address to contact you in case you win. Good luck, and Happy New Year!